Biochemical Markers for Disease Diagnosis and Prognosis

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Questions and Answers

What is a biomarker?

A type of bacterial infection in the body

A type of medical imaging technique

A biological molecule indicating a normal or abnormal process (correct)

A genetic material used to diagnose a disease

In the context of disease, what does prognosis refer to?

The therapeutic agents prescribed for the treatment of a disease

The future outcome of a disease (correct)

Measuring the activity of other enzymes in the body

Diagnosing a disease based on signs and symptoms

Which type of enzymes have a high level of activity in plasma compared to tissue cells?

Enzymes used as therapeutic agents

Plasma-specific enzymes (correct)

Analytical reagents enzymes

Nonplasma-specific enzymes

How are enzymes used as biomarkers in the diagnosis/prognosis of diseases?

By being plasma-specific and performing functions in blood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a plasma-specific enzyme?

Thrombin Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of enzymes as biomarkers in diagnosing and tracking diseases?

To provide information about specific disease processes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the presence of intracellular enzymes in their cells of origin?

Defective cell membrane Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does not affect serum enzyme levels?

Glucose excess Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary indicator of hepatocellular injury?

Alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) Signup and view all the answers

What is ischemia characterized by?

Deficient supply of blood to a body part Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is not used to assess cardiac function?

Alanine transaminase (ALT) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary indicator of pancreatic function?

Serum amylase and lipase Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of plasma oncotic pressure is maintained by albumin?

80% Signup and view all the answers

In hypoalbuminemia, which of the following can cause increased losses of albumin?

Increased catabolism in infections Signup and view all the answers

What is the main effect of hypoalbuminemia related to edema?

Low oncotic pressure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be a cause of hyperalbuminemia?

Dehydration Signup and view all the answers

What are tumor markers used for?

Diagnosis and management of a tumor Signup and view all the answers

What is a function of albumin related to transport in the blood?

Transporting lipid-soluble molecules Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Albumin Functions

Maintains oncotic pressure (80% of plasma oncotic pressure)
Regulates fluid distribution in and outside cells
Maintains plasma volume
Plays a buffering role
Transports lipid-soluble molecules, hormones, calcium, and drugs in blood

Hypoalbuminemia

Causes: decreased albumin synthesis, increased volume of albumin distribution, and increased losses of albumin
Effects: edema due to low oncotic pressure, reduced transport of substances in plasma, and albumin level drops in liver disease causing low oncotic pressure

Hyperalbuminemia

Cause: dehydration
Tumor markers: α-fetoprotein (AFP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA)
α-fetoprotein: high levels in newborn babies, low levels in adults

Biomarkers

Definition: a biological molecule found in blood, other body fluids, or tissues that indicates a normal or abnormal process, such as a condition or disease
Used for diagnosis and follow-up of disease
Examples: α-fetoprotein, PSA, and enzymes (e.g., ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, troponin, and CPK)

Enzymatic Diagnosis and Prognosis of Disease

Enzymes used clinically in three ways: as indicators (biomarkers), analytical reagents, and therapeutic agents
Plasma-specific enzymes: normally present in plasma, perform functions in blood, and have high levels of activity in plasma
Nonplasma-specific enzymes: present inside cells, released into body fluids in high concentrations due to cell damage or defective cell membrane

Assessment of Organ Function

Liver function: alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) for hepatocellular injury, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) for cholestasis
Cardiac function: troponin and creatinine phosphokinase (CPK)
Pancreatic function: serum amylase and lipase

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Description

Explore the role of biochemical markers in diagnosing and monitoring diseases. Learn about enzymatic and plasma protein markers, as well as tumor markers such as α-fetoprotein and PSA. Understand the significance of biomarkers in indicating normal or abnormal processes in the body.